Travel with Pets To/Through the Netherlands

In order to make travel to the Netherlands with your dog, cat or ferret as simple as possible, we have compiled this small package of documents for you. This package applies to those who will be traveling with their pet TO or THROUGH the Netherlands, starting either from the US or Canada. It does not cover those situations when you return with your pet back to the United States or Canada. The package contains:

1. A sample Veterinary Certificate

2. Explanation and instructions for the certificate
3. Information on commercial trade
4. Information on travel with pets other than dogs, cats and ferrets
5. Contact information

The rules on which this information is based, are in force as of July 3rd, 2004. We note that the Netherlands strictly adheres to EU regulations. Most countries in the EU have harmonized their regulations in accordance with the EU regulation regarding international travel with dogs, cats and ferrets.

Note: Pit Bull terriers (and any pit bull terrier cross breeds) are NOT allowed into the Netherlands

1. Veterinary Certificate (see a sample enclosed)

The documents from your veterinary doctor must include the following information:

A. Country of Dispatch of the animal

B. Owner/responsible person accompanying the animal

- Name
- Address
- Country
- Telephone number

C. Description of the animal
- Species
- Breed
- Sex
- Date of birth
- Coat (color and type)

D. Identification of the animal
- Microchip number / tattoo number
- Location of microchip / tattoo
- Date of microchipping / tattooing

E. Rabies Vaccination
- Manufacturer and name of vaccine
- Batch number
- Date of the vaccination
- Expiration date of the vaccine

The sample veterinary certificate provided is not mandatory. However, any other form or document, provided by your veterinarian, must contain the information listed above. Once signed by the veterinarian or endorsement by the competent authority, the certificate is valid for four months, or until the expiration date of the vaccination, whichever comes first.

2. Explanation and instructions for the certificate

I. The microchip:
If your pet will be identified through a microchip, please be aware that the microchip meets the ISO standard (International Organization for Standardization) Annex A, 2.1, ISO # 11785 (website: www.iso.ch). For your information, the HomeAgain microchip from AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AVID-Eurochip, are manufactured in compliance with Annex A, 2.1, ISO # 11785 and meet the requirements. If your pet will be identified through a microchip which is not in compliance with Anex A, 2.1, ISO # 1785, you can bring your own reader or transponder. This will enable the Custom Authorities in the Netherlands to identify the microchip number of your pet.

II. The United States and Canada are both included in Annex II EC regulation 998/2003, which means that both countries are considered low risk regions for rabies. Therefore no rabies serological test is required. Please find below a transcript of annex II EC regulation 998/2003, which lists all countries that are considered low risk rabies regions:

Countries:

• Switzerland
• Norway
• Iceland
• Andorra
• Liechtenstein
• Monaco
• San Marino
• Vatican
• Ascension
• Antigua en Barbuda
• Netherlands Antilles
• Australia
• Aruba
• Barbados
• Bahrain
• Bermuda
• Canada
• Fiji
• Falkland Islands
• Croatia
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Saint Kitts en Nevis
• Cayman Islands
• Montserrat
• Mauritius
• New-Caledonia
• New-Zealand
• French Polynesia
• Saint-Pierre en Miquelon
• Singapore
• Sint-Helena
• United States of America
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Vanuatu
• Wallis and Tutuna
• Mayotte

Including territories of the EU-member states: Greenland, Faro Islands, The Balaeren, The Canaries (without Ceuta and Melilla), French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique en Reunion, Gibraltar, de Azores, Madeira.

III. Dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies. The rules regarding the frequency of the rabies vaccination have changed: the rabies shot will have to be repeated either annually or every two years in accordance with the type of vaccine used. However, when your dog, cat or ferret has never been vaccinated before, this vaccination should be given at least 21 days before leaving to the Netherlands.

IV. Dogs, cats and ferrets less then 12 weeks old are permitted to travel to the Netherlands without prior inoculation against rabies (however the pet does need the chip or tattoo). In addition, the animal must travel with a statement from a veterinary doctor, which declares that the animal resided at the birthplace until travel date and has not been in contact with any animals possibly infected with rabies. Please be aware that other EU member countries might have different rules regarding the import of pets younger then 3 months of age. If you intend on traveling to another European country with your young pet, you will have to contact the Embassy representatives of that particular country to find out if additional requirements apply.

V. For travel to the Netherlands with your dog, cat, or ferret, a tick treatment or a echinococcus treatment is NOT required.

3. Commercial Trade

The above requirements apply to dog, cats and ferrets, traveling with their owner / care taker. Any dog, cat or ferret traveling alone is considered commercial trade, and is subject to an additional requirement:

- commercial animals and pets traveling unaccompanied must have been clinically examined by a USDA certified veterinarian within 24 hours before departure to the Netherlands and must travel with a health certificate which states the date and time of the examination.

PLEASE NOTE:
If your pet is considered commercial trade, a veterinarian at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands will examine the pet at the KLM animal hotel. Since this hotel is owned by KLM your airline will have to confirm before departure in writing with KLM that the animal can be taken, and if necessary, stay at the KLM animal hotel for examination. If you are traveling with KLM this request is not necessary.

Pets under 3 months traveling as commercial trade do not need a rabies vaccination but do need a microchip / tattoo and a health certificate issued no more than 24 hours before departure to the Netherlands.

For information on taking you cat, dog or ferret back to the United States or Canada, please contact the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Agriculture or the US/ Canadian Embassy or US/ Canadian Consulate in the country from which you will be departing.

If you are departing from the Netherlands, please contact the Agricultural Affairs Office of the US Embassy in The Hague at:
Lange Voorhout 102 2514 EJ The Hague The Netherlands Phone: + 31 70 3109300 Fax: + 31 70 3657681

Canadian Embassy in The Hague at:
Sophialaan 7 2514 JP The Hague The Netherlands Phone: + 31 70 3111600 Fax: + 31 70 3111620

4. Pets other than dogs, cats and ferrets

The European Commission is currently drafting a veterinary certificate for pets other than dogs, cats and ferrets. This document has not been finalized. Pets other than dogs, cats and ferrets can enter EU member countries under the current rules, which means that these pets, unless the species of subspecies is listed under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) or the US Endangered Species Act, can enter the Netherlands with a health certificate issued by your local veterinarian. This health certificate can not be older then 10 days upon arrival in the Netherlands.

If your animal is listed under CITES or under the US Endangered Species Act special requirements apply. For more information on CITES see the CITES website of the US Fish and Wildlife Service: www.international.FWS.Gov

Q&A regarding travel to the Netherlands with your dog or/and cat.

Q. Do I have to use the veterinary certificate posted on your website?
A. No, the certificate on our website is just a sample. You do not have to use that particular veterinary certificate. You can use any veterinary certificate as long as it provides all the information as listed in part 1 "Veterinary Certificate", under A., B., C., D., and E. of the explanation.

Q. The sample certificate posted on your website requests a serial number. Do I need to provide a number?
A. No, you do not need to provide a serial number. If you use the sample veterinary certificate posted on our website, you can leave this space open.

Q. Can the certificate be filled out in English?
A. Yes, it can be filled out in English.

Q. Does the rabies vaccination still have to be administered 30 days prior to departure to the Netherlands?
A. No, conform the new rule of April, 2005, the rabies vaccination has to be administered 21 days before departure to the Netherlands.

Q. Does the health certificate have to be certified by an USDA/AAFC veterinarian, or my “State Veterinarian”?
A. If your travel with your own dog/cat or ferret to the Netherlands as a pet, you do not need to have the health certificate certified by your State Veterinarian or a USDA/AAFC veterinarian. However, if you do not travel with your pet to the Netherlands or if the animal is commercial trade, a state certification is required. (max. 24 hours before leaving the United States or Canada).

Q. Is a microchip required?
A. Either a microchip OR a tattoo is required.

Q. My pet is younger than 12 weeks old. Do I need to get a rabies vaccination for my pet?
A. No, your pet does not need to be inoculated with a rabies vaccination before departure to the Netherlands. However, your young pet does need to travel with a veterinary certificate and must have a tattoo or a microchip. Also be aware that US/Canadian rules might require that your pet receives a rabies vaccination before returning back home.

Q. Is a tick or echinococcus treatment for my pet required to travel to the Netherlands?
A. No, for travel to the Netherlands both treatments are not required. However, some other European Union member countries do require these treatments. If you intend on travelling to other countries within the European Union, please contact their Embassies. A comprehensive listing of Embassies in Washington, DC can be found at: www.embassy.org/embassies

Q. Do you have a quarantine period for pets in the Netherlands?
A. If you can provide all the appropriate paperwork upon arrival, your pet will not be quarantined. However, if your pet does not travel with the required documentation, your pet might be subject to examination by a Dutch veterinarian at Schiphol and could be sent back or quarantined, if necessary. Please be aware that all costs involved are for the pet’s owner.